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Hello,
I am descended from John Banting b. abt 1715, who married first Molly Holland in Foxcott near Knights Enham, Hants in 1752 and second Sarah Tarrant/Tarrint in Exbury, Hants in 1759 (children all baptised in Andover). John and Sarah are my 5x great grandparents.
My DNA has been matched to a descendant of Sarah Banting and John Eustace who married in Wantage, Berks in 1768. Sarah’s parents were James Banting b.1720 in Bampton, Oxon and his wife Elizabeth Alder. Many of the Oxfordshire and Berkshire Bantings were blacksmiths. Some of James’ children were born in Childrey, Berks (inc Sarah and blacksmith Henry), whilst later children were born in Bampton.
My DNA has also been matched to a great nephew of Nobel prize winner Sir Frederick Banting, in Ontario (most recent common ancestor estimated 7.7 generations back). Sir Frederick’s known ancestry goes back to a John Banting b. 1742 (7 generations back from my Canadian match) who, with his wife (reputedly) Elizabeth Hall , emigrated from England to Ballyfin in Ireland, where he worked as a gardener on the estate. Their descendants later emigrated to Ontario. Other Hampshire Bantings have also had their DNA matched to descendants of Sir Frederick, so although it is a distant relationship, it seems genuine.
There are two issues which need to be resolved: first, where is the link between my known (on paper) ancestor John Banting and the Oxfordshire/Berkshire Bantings; and second, where did Sir Frederick’s ancestor John Banting come from and how does he link in to the Oxfordshire/Berkshire Bantings?
There are many stories circulating on the internet about the latter: that he was the son of Charles John Bentinck of the aristocratic Dutch family; that his wife was a titled Lady from Bristol; that he eloped with Elizabeth after a chance meeting on the roads, etc. etc.. It is difficult to sort fact from fiction. The Bentinck family is well documented and there is no record of Charles John having any children, so that part at least seems to be fiction.
I don’t know whether this helps your group or whether you can help me, it’s just something to add to the mix.
Incidentally, my Banting great grandparents were first cousins so the generational estimates on my side might not be very accurate.
Best wishes
prue12

Hi,
Yes I've searched US and Canada censuses. I think he is likely to have emigrated to Canada and either he died on the voyage or shortly after arriving in Canada.
Thanks
Prue

I have been unable to find out what happened to my 3x great uncle Spencer Waghorne, b 1860 Robertsbridge after 1881 when he is lodging at 22 Newgate Rd, Hastings, his occupation being an excavator. There is no trace of him in the BMD marriage or death indices. His four brothers emigrated to Canada, but I have not been able to find any trace of him there. Can anyone help?

Would some kind person be able to look for a marriage between John KELLY of Stockport (son of James and Elizabeth) and Grace HUGHES of Llansanffraid Glan Conwy (parents unknown). Their first child John Francis KELLY was baptised in St Nicholas Church, Liverpool on 15 Feb 1818, so the marriage probably took place in 1817.
Many thanks
Prue

Hi Jane,
The family story was that he didn't have a birth certificate because he was born in Wandsworth prison although other parts of the story suggest that his mother was released not long afterwards, because events occurred elsewhere while he was still a baby.  A couple of weeks ago, among the London Parish Records newly released on Ancestry, I found the record of his baptism in a church which is fairly close to the prison. Further research positively identified the chaplain who officiated at the baptism as the prison chaplain (described in the baptism record as "Chaplain HCWS" which I take to stand for "House of Correction Wandsworth, Surrey"). So clearly there is some connection to the prison. There are a few related researchers working on it, including one in London who has been to the local registrar's office, but there is no sign of a birth certificate there or at the GRO. At least two other siblings born 1864 and about 1873 also do not appear to have had their births registerered, although several others were registered. However, as you say, these siblings were born before compulsory registration. I should also say that the parents were literate, indeed the father had a skilled occupation (although this did not prevent him being a bit of a rogue).
I can't provide too much detail because of the sensibilities of living family members.
It is possible I suppose that the baby was baptised in the absence of the mother.
Regards
Prue

Hi Prue,
A couple of questions spring to mind as I read your post;
Is it just a family story that the child was baptised by the prison chaplain in a church near the prison?  In my opinion, if the child was to have been baptised it would have been done IN the prison as there's normally a chapel in these institutions.
If this birth did occur, then there should be a registration as it was compulsory after 1874.  Have you asked for help in finding it?

jane